Non Surgical BPH Treatment: Latest Safe and Effective Options
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also referred to as an enlarged prostate, is one condition that many men develop with age. Though surgery has long been an accepted solution for treating the symptoms of BPH, the advancements in the field of medicine have brought with them an array of safe, effective, non surgical treatment options for BPH that are also minimally invasive. Such options are especially popular among men who prefer evading the post surgery risks, downtime, as well as its complications.
In this article, we’ll discuss the latest breakthroughs in non-surgical treatment for BPH so you’ll better understand which solution is most likely to suit your lifestyle and health needs.
Understanding BPH and Its Symptoms
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located below the bladder. With advancing age, the prostate grows in size, and in the majority of cases, the growth pushes the urethra, thereby becoming the reason for the urinary symptoms. Some of the normal symptoms of BPH are:
- Frequent need to urinate, especially at night (nocturia)
- Broken or weak urine stream
- Difficulty starting urination
- Incomplete emptying of the bladder
- Urgency or dribbling after urination
Although not malignant, BPH symptoms significantly affect quality of life. Luckily, non surgical BPH treatment now makes it possible to manage the symptoms without resorting to surgery.
Why Consider Non Surgical BPH Treatment?
The majority of men will postpone surgery for fear of anesthesia, the hospital, risks, and convalescence. Non-surgical treatments have the following benefits:
- Minimally invasive: Most therapies do not involve long-term hospitalization. Therapy is typically an outpatient.
- Rapid recovery: Patients begin normal activities in days.
- Lower risk: Less likelihood of complications than surgery.
- Conservation of sexual function: Most procedures are designed to have little effect on sexual function.
This makes BPH treatment without surgery an excellent option for men seeking relief with minimal disruption to their lives.
Latest Non Surgical Options for BPH
- Medication
One of the first lines of non surgical BPH treatment involves prescription medications. These include:
- Alpha-blockers: Relaxes the prostate and bladder neck muscles to enhance urine flow (e.g., alfuzosin, tamsulosin).
- 5-alpha reductase inhibitors: Shrink the prostate by suppressing growth hormones (e.g., dutasteride, finasteride.
- Combination therapy: In some cases, doctors prescribe both classes of drugs for better results.
While effective, medications may require long-term use and can cause side effects like dizziness or decreased libido.
- Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE)
PAE is among the most advanced non-surgical treatments for BPH. During this minimally invasive procedure, the radiologist implants a catheter in the blood supply arteries to the prostate and occludes the arteries with minute particles, thereby lessening the flow of blood and resulting in the shrinking of the prostate.
Benefits: Performed under local anesthesia, short recovery period, significant symptom relief.
Best for: Patients who are not surgery candidates or who prefer an outpatient procedure.
- Rezūm Water Vapor Therapy
Rezūm uses controlled doses of steam to destroy excess prostate tissue. Over time, the body absorbs the treated tissue, relieving urinary symptoms.
Benefits: Rapid procedure (less than 10 minutes), protects sexual function, long-term relief.
Recovery: Very limited down-time with the vast majority regaining normal activities over several days.
- UroLift System
The UroLift System is also an FDA-approved non-surgical procedure for treating BPH. This comprises the placement of small devices for lifting and anchoring the swollen prostate tissue away from the urethra so that urine flows better.
- Primary advantage: UroLift doesn’t cut or redistribute tissue, unlike other procedures.
- Suitability: Most appropriate for men with average enlargement who seek an expedient, minimally intrusive solution.
- Lifestyle and Natural Therapies
In addition to surgery, certain lifestyle modifications also serve as non-surgical adjuvant therapies for BPH. These are:
- Reducing caffeine and alcohol intake
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Practicing bladder training techniques
- Incorporating zinc-dense foods, foods high in lycopene, and omega-3
Although lifestyle changes alone may not reverse BPH, they can significantly improve symptoms and enhance the effectiveness of other therapies.
Comparing Surgery with Surgical Alternatives
Although surgery, including Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP), is also extensively practiced, it has risks such as bleeding, infection, retrograde ejaculation, and longer post-surgery recovery. On the other hand, non surgical treatments for BPH provide similarly effective relief for most men, with lower risks and faster recovery.
It’s worth noting, though, that the optimal treatment depends on several factors, including prostate size, age, physical health, and symptom severity.
Selecting the Right Non Surgical BPH Therapy
If you’re having trouble urinating caused by an enlarged prostate, see a urologist to discuss options. Evaluation will often involve:
- Medical history review
- Physical examination
- Urinary flow tests
- Prostate imaging and lab work
Based on these results, your doctor will subsequently be best equipped to recommend the most effective non-surgical treatment for BPH.
Conclusion
With medical advancements, men no longer need to rely solely on surgery for relief from BPH. From medications and minimally invasive therapies like PAE, Rezūm, and UroLift, to lifestyle changes, there are multiple safe and effective non surgical BPH treatment options available today.
If you’re struggling with symptoms of an enlarged prostate, it’s reassuring to know that effective solutions exist that don’t involve surgery. Always consult a qualified urologist to find the treatment plan that offers you the best balance of safety, effectiveness, and quality of life.
